Pumpkin Patch - Free Autumn Embroidery Pattern
I don’t know about you, but I just love autumnal colours! They’re just so cosy and warm
This little pumpkin embroidery is the perfect project to stitch while snuggling under a blanket with a cuppa!
Before you start stitching
This pumpkin embroidery pattern is great for those with some experience of thread painting or with a determination to learn!
Materials list
A 4 inch embroidery hoop
Cotton/linen fabric to fit the embroidery hoop (I prefer a medium to heavyweight cotton blend for my embroidery. You can use whatever you are most comfortable with)
An embroidery needle
An erasable pen or pencil to transfer the pattern to the fabric. (Pilot frixion pens are good, they are heat erasable but can leave residue on some fabrics so be sure to check on a scrap piece before using them)
A printer to print out the pattern transfer OR a tablet to use a light box to trace your transfer (instructions below)
Threads as detailed in the numbered list. The threads will be referred to as their number throughout the pattern i.e. thread 907 will be referred to as thread 1
DMC Threads:
Thread 1 - 907
Thread 2 - 905
Thread 3 - 801
Thread 4 - 816
Thread 5 - 304
Thread 6 - 740
Thread 7 - 741
Thread 8 - 972
Transferring your pattern to the fabric:
To trace the embroidery pattern from a tablet:
Download the embroidery pattern to your tablet making sure that the screen is the same size or bigger than your embroidery hoop
Place the fabric in the embroidery hoop and pull tight (this will make it easier to trace)
Make sure that the pattern is displayed at the right size for the embroidery hoop, turn up the screen brightness to full and place the fabric in the embroidery hoop over the screen so that the pattern can be seen centrally through it
Trace your pattern using an erasable pen or pencil
Top tip: Just trace the outlines, don’t worry about the numbers for now as you can refer back to the pattern for these as you stitch
To trace the embroidery pattern on to your fabric using a printed pattern:
Download and print the embroidery pattern on A4 paper (or equivaent). It will print the correct size for a 6 inch embroidery hoop
Put the cotton fabric in your embroidery hoop and stretch it tight
Place the printed pattern on a flat surface and the cotton fabric in the hoop on top so that the pattern is central in the hoop
You can now trace the embroidery pattern on to your fabric using an erasable pen or pencil
Top tip: try taping the embroidery pattern to window to trace, as the light coming from behind will make it easier to see the lines
To print the embroidery pattern on to your cotton fabric:
Download the embroidery pattern
Take a full page A4 printer label and stick it to your fabric making sure there are no creases in the fabric
Cut around the label as accurately as you can
Place the label and fabric in an inkjet printer, use the rear tray if you can as this will be an easier path for it
Print the embroidery pattern on to the fabric
Remove the label and place the fabric in your embroidery hoop
Please note that this method can leave small amounts of ‘fluff’ in your printer. I have printed 100s of pieces of fabric like this and have had no problems but use this method at your own printers risk!
Colour placement diagram
Let’s Get Stitching
A single strand of thread is used throughout this design unless otherwise stated
The Pumpkin
Step one: Chain stitch the outline of the pumpkin using thread 6
Step two: Fill in the areas marked 7 and 8 in long and short stitch with the corresponding thread colour
Step three: Fill in the stalk of the pumpkin with long and short stitch using thread 1. The direction of your stitches should be from the base of the stalk upwards towards the end
Step 4: Using thread 3, add some scattered French knots at the bottom of the pumpkin to create some ‘ground’
The Flowers
Step one: Using thread 4 silk stitch the centre of each flower. The direction of your stitches does not matter in this step
Step two: Using long and short stitch, fill in each petal. Start each petal from the centre of the flower and work outwards. Use thread 4 nearest the centre, then, as you reach the middle of each petal blend into using thread 5
Step 3: Outline the centre of each flower and between each petal in split stitch using thread 3
The Leaves:
Step one: Fill in each leaf in long and short stitch using thread 1. The direction of your stitches should be from the centre of the leaf fanning outwards to the edge, think of the direction of the veins of the leaves in the diagram
Step two: Add veins to the leaves in thread 2, using single long straight stitches. You will be embroidering over the top of the stitching from the previous step
Step three: Using thread 2, chain stitch the vine. Refer to the diagram where your previous stitching has covered the line. Keep your stitches small as you turn corners as this will make a smoother curve